Property owners along the Strawberry River in rural Sharp County near Evening Shade are still seeking answers after a series of disturbing events in April. On Sunday, April 28, John Kunkel went to check on his cattle after a storm. His neighbors had found two dead deer in their pasture, likely struck by lightning since there were no signs of them being shot or hit by a vehicle.
Although his cattle were unharmed, Kunkel discovered one of his goats dead, its head missing. Having grown up farming in the area, Kunkel was well-versed in farm life. His family had raised cattle, chickens, goats, and swine for generations, and he had extensive experience with livestock through the county’s 4-H program.
As Kunkel retrieved the goat’s body, he took photos and videos to document the scene. The body lay in an open, grazed area, not dragged away. There was no blood, and the wound was smooth, like it had been sliced with a knife. Kunkel contacted the Sharp County sheriff’s office, which suggested a large predator, possibly a bald eagle.
However, experts from the Arkansas Game and Fish, Dept. of Agriculture, and the Wildlife Federation concluded that a human likely did this, as a hungry animal would have taken the entire body, and there were no claw marks or punctures.
On Sunday, May 5, Kunkel found the goat’s head in his front yard. It was mostly intact, with the nose missing but the tongue and eyes still there, showing little decay despite the warm temperatures. Kunkel called the sheriff’s office again.
Around the same time, his neighbor Regenia Conway reported a stolen calf, and another neighbor on Shands Road reported an attempted horse theft that resulted in the horse’s death.
“It’s not just about the goat,” Kunkel emphasized. The Sharp County sheriff’s office did not respond to requests for comment. With various speculations ranging from squatters to occultists, residents are anxious for answers. Anyone with information should contact the Sharp County Sheriff’s Office.
